Remote automated chemical crossover system for use with an automated sampling device

ABSTRACT

A sample analysis system is available that can include a remote sampling system, at least one analyzer, and a controller. The remote sampling system can include a plurality of sample sources for providing a corresponding sample therefrom; and a plurality of sample collection devices selectively coupled to any of the plurality of sample sources for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The at least one analyzer can be coupled to the plurality of the sample collection devices for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The controller can be coupled with the remote sampling system and the at least one analyzer, the controller configured to control which of the sample sources is actively coupled to a given sample collection device at a given time.

BACKGROUND

In many laboratory settings, it is often necessary to analyze a largenumber of chemical or biological samples at one time. In order tostreamline such processes, the manipulation of samples has beenmechanized. Such mechanized sampling can be referred to as autosamplingand can be performed using an automated sampling device, or autosampler.

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry is an analysis techniquecommonly used for the determination of trace element concentrations andisotope ratios in liquid samples. ICP spectrometry employselectromagnetically generated partially ionized argon plasma whichreaches a temperature of approximately 7,000K. When a sample isintroduced to the plasma, the high temperature causes sample atoms tobecome ionized or emit light. Since each chemical element produces acharacteristic mass or emission spectrum, measuring the spectra of theemitted mass or light allows the determination of the elementalcomposition of the original sample.

Sample introduction systems may be employed to introduce the liquidsamples into the ICP spectrometry instrumentation (e.g., an InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP/ICP-MS), an Inductively CoupledPlasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), or the like), or othersample detector or analytic instrumentation for analysis. For example, asample introduction system may withdraw an aliquot of a liquid samplefrom a container and thereafter transport the aliquot to a nebulizerthat converts the aliquot into a polydisperse aerosol suitable forionization in plasma by the ICP spectrometry instrumentation. Theaerosol is then sorted in a spray chamber to remove the larger aerosolparticles. Upon leaving the spray chamber, the aerosol is introducedinto the plasma by a plasma torch assembly of the ICP-MS or ICP-AESinstruments for analysis.

DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. Any dimensions included in the accompanying figures areprovided by way of example only and are not meant to limit the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partial line diagram illustrating a system configured toanalyze samples transported over long distances and allowing forautomated crossover of samples, in accordance with example embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a remote sampling system, allowing forautomated crossover of up to N samples with respect to N samplecollection systems, in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3A is an environmental view illustrating a remote sampling deviceused in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of a pair ofsamples, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B is another environmental view illustrating a remote samplingdevice used in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of apair of samples, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view illustrating a remote sampling deviceused in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of twodistinct pairs of samples, in accordance with example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system incorporating a remote samplingdevice, an analysis system, and a controller, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is an environmental view illustrating a remote sampling deviceused in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of a pair ofsamples from three distinct samples, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is another environmental view illustrating a remote samplingdevice used in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of apair of samples from three distinct samples, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is another environmental view illustrating a remote samplingdevice used in a remote sampling system, facilitating a crossover of apair of samples from three distinct samples, in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Traditionally, remote sampling systems employed as part of ICPspectrometry instrumentation are structured such that a first samplecollection system is fluidly connected solely to a first source, asecond sample collection system is fluidly connected solely to a secondsource, and so forth. Such a traditional system can have drawbacks. Forexample, such a one-to-one delivery system does not facilitateconfirming source contamination (e.g., to see if the contamination isoriginating at the source or at the collection system). Additionally, ifa given collection system is not operational, for example, formaintenance or another reason, the testing of the material from thatrelated source is also likely stopped as well, until that line can bebrought back to operational status.

The present remote sampling system facilitates the selective connection(e.g., via electronically or manually controlled valves) of any of aplurality of sample sources to more than one sample collection system.As such, the present remote sampling system allows for the switching ofchemical sources between remote sampling collection devices or modules.That is, the present remote sampling system can be controlled in amanner to determine which chemical source is actively coupled (e.g., viavalve control) to a given sample collection device at a given time,thereby allowing the chosen chemical to flow to the given samplecollection device. In an embodiment, a ratio of fluids from multiplechemical sources may be permitted to flow to a given sample collectionmodule to permit testing of a mixture of such source materials. In anembodiment, each sample collection system can further be selectivelyconnected to one or more analyzers or monitoring units, with flow to theone or more analyzers or monitoring units selectively controlled.

The present remote sampling system thus allows for switching of chemicalsources between remote sampling modules. Such an arrangement permits forsource contamination verification (e.g., see if the contamination iscoming from a given source or a particular remote sampling module). Thisarrangement also facilitates system redundancy, allowing a sourcematerial to be directed to a different sampling collection system ormodule if, for example, the sampling collection system or module towhich the source material had previously been directed is down formaintenance or another reason. In one implementation, a plurality ofsample collection systems are connected to a plurality of analyzers orcentral analysis systems, thus, for example, allowing a singleconnection point between a given sample source and the remote samplingsystem with the ability to connect to multiple analyzers (e.g., basedupon which remote sampling module a given source material is directedto).

Example Implementations

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 6C, example systems are describedto automatically transfer samples inline over long distances to analysissystems configured to analyze the samples. In example embodiments, oneor more samples can be analyzed by multiple analysis systems, where suchanalysis systems can comprise differing analysis techniques. A system100 (e.g., an autosampler in conjunction with a spectrometry device)includes at least one analysis system 102 at a first location. Thesystem 100 can also include two or more remote sampling systems 104 atone or more locations remote from the first location (e.g., a secondlocation). For instance, the two or more remote sampling systems 104 canbe positioned proximate a plurality of sources of chemicals, such as achemical storage tank, a chemical treatment tank (e.g., a chemicalbath), a chemical transport line or pipe, or the like (e.g., remote fromthe first location of the analysis system 102), such as a remote samplesource 106A and a remote sample source 106B shown in FIG. 1 and remotesample sources A-N 106A-106N (e.g., sources A-N) shown in FIG. 2.Chemicals from such sources 106A-106N can be analyzed by the analysissystem 102, where the analysis system 102 can be positioned remote fromthe remote sampling system(s) 104, such as an analysis hub for aproduction facility (e.g., the first location). In implementations, theremote sampling system 104 can include two or more sample collectiondevices 108A-108N to use in conjunction with the two or more remotesample sources 106A-106N. In an embodiment, the same number of samplecollection devices 108 can be used as the number of remote samplesources 106. In an embodiment, the number of sample collection devices108 is different from the number of remote sample sources 106.

The system 100 can also include one or more remote sampling system(s)104 at a third location, a fourth location, and so forth, where thethird location and/or the fourth location are remote from the firstlocation. In implementations, the third location, the fourth location,and other locations of the remote sampling systems 104 can be remotefrom respective other locations of other remote sampling systems 104.For example, one remote sampling system 104 can be positioned at a waterline (e.g., a deionized water transport line), whereas one or more otherremote sampling systems 104 can be positioned at a location with two ormore chemical storage tanks, chemical treatment tanks (e.g., a chemicalbaths), chemical transport lines or pipes, or the like. In someembodiments, the system 100 also may include one or more remote samplingsystem(s) 104 at the first location (e.g., proximate to the analysissystem 102). For example, a sampling system 104 at the first locationmay include an autosampler coupled with the analysis system 102. The oneor more sampling systems 104 can be operable to receive samples from thefirst location, the second location, the third location, the fourthlocation, and so forth, and the system 100 can be operable to deliverthe samples to the analysis system 102 for analysis. The system 100 caninclude components, such as pumps, valves, tubing, sensors, etc.,suitable for acquiring a sample from a given sample source 106A-106N,transferring the sample to a chosen sample collection module 108A-108N,and delivering the sample over the distance to the analysis system 102.

A remote sampling system 104 according to the present embodiment can beconfigured to selectably provide a sample from one of a plurality ofremote sample sources 106A-106N to one of a plurality of samplecollection modules 108A-108N and prepare the one or more samples fordelivery (e.g., to the analysis system 102) and/or analysis. The presentremote sampling system 104 thus allows for switching of chemical sources106A-106N between a corresponding set of remote sampling modules108A-108N. In FIG. 1, for example, respective source-to-module fluidconnections 109 provide the fluid flow paths between the remote samplesources 106A-106B and the sample collection modules 108A-108B and areshown in dashed line configuration to schematically indicate theselective flow between such units (i.e., all flow paths are availablebut are not necessarily used, which may be accomplished through the useof valving, to be discussed later). In embodiments, the remote samplingsystem 104 can be disposed various distances from the analysis system102 (e.g., 1 m, 5 m, 10 m, 30 m, 50 m, 100 m, 300 m, 1000 m, etc.).

The remote sampling device 104 can include a device (e.g., as part of agiven sample collection module 108) configured for collecting a samplefrom a sample stream or source 106A-106N (e.g., a liquid, such as wastewater, rinse water, chemical, industrial chemical, etc., a gas, such asan air sample and/or contaminants therein to be contacted with a liquid,or the like). The remote sampling system 104 can include components,such as pumps, valves, tubing, sensors, etc., suitable for acquiring thesample from the sample source and delivering the sample over thedistance to the analysis system 102. A given sample collection module108 may further be configured to prepare a collected sample using adiluent, an internal standard, a carrier, etc., such as to provideparticular sample concentrations, spiked samples, calibration curves, orthe like, and may be configured to rinse with a rinse solution (e.g.,deionized water).

The analysis system 102 is fluidly coupled with the remote samplingsystem 104 and may include, for example, a sample collector 110, ananalysis device 112, and/or a sampling device 114. The sample collector110 can be configured to collect a sample from one or more of the samplecollection modules 108A-108N of a given remote sampling systems 104 forconveyance to an analysis device 112 and/or a sampling device 114. Theanalysis system 102 may include a sampling device 114 configured tocollect a sample that is local to the analysis system 102 (e.g., a localautosampler) and, for example, to deliver that local sample to theanalysis device 112.

The analysis system 102 can include at least one analysis device 112configured to analyze samples to determine, for example, trace elementconcentrations, isotope ratios, and so forth (e.g., in liquid samples).For example, the analysis device 112 can include ICP spectrometryinstrumentation including, but not limited to, an Inductively CoupledPlasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP/ICP-MS), an Inductively Coupled PlasmaAtomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), an Inductively Coupled PlasmaOptical Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES), or the like. In embodiments, theanalysis system 102 includes a plurality of analysis devices 112 (i.e.,more than one analysis device). For example, the system 100 and/or theanalysis system 102 can include multiple sampling loops, with eachsampling loop introducing a portion of the sample to the plurality ofanalysis devices 112. As another example, the system 100 and/or theanalysis system 102 can be configured with a multi-position valve, suchthat a single sample can be rapidly and serially introduced to theplurality of analysis devices 112. In embodiments, a given analysisdevice 112 can be, but is not limited to, an ICPMS (e.g., for tracemetal determinations), ICPOES (e.g., for trace metal determinations),ion chromatograph (e.g., for anion and cation determinations), liquidchromatograph (LC) (e.g., for organic contaminants determinations),Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR infrared) (e.g., forchemical composition and structural information determinations),particle counter (e.g., for detection of undissolved particles),moisture analyzer (e.g., for detection of water in samples), gaschromatograph (GC) (e.g., for detection of volatile components), or thelike. In embodiments, a given analysis device or analyzer 112 can belocated remotely from the remote sampling system 104. In an embodiment,a given analysis device 112 may be local to a given remote samplingsystem 104. It is to be understood that the ability to perform achemical crossover or switch can be utilized in a system 100 where theanalysis system 102 is local to the sampling system 104, as well as in acase where such components are remote to one another.

It is to be understood that at least one analyzer 112 can be coupled toat least one of the plurality of the sample collection devices 108A-108Nfor receiving at least one of the samples therefrom, with eachrespective sample collection device 108A-108N connected to at least onecorresponding analyzer 112. In an embodiment, multiple sample collectiondevices 108A-108N or a number less than N can be fluidly connected toone given analyzer 112. In an embodiment, each respective samplecollection device 108A-108N may have a sole analyzer 112 to which itcorresponds. In an embodiment, a first plurality of sample collectionsystems 108 can be dedicated to a first analyzer 112, a second distinctplurality of sample collection systems 108 can be dedicated to a seconddistinct analyzer 112, and so on.

The system 100 and/or analysis system 102 can be configured to reportanalyte concentration at a location over time. In some embodiments, theanalysis device 112 may be configured to detect one or more trace metalsin a sample. In other embodiments, the analysis device 112 may beconfigured for ion chromatography. For example, ions and/or cations canbe collected in a sample and delivered to a chromatograph analysisdevice 112. In further embodiments, organic molecules, proteins, and soon, can be collected in samples and delivered to a high-resolutiontime-of-flight (HR-ToF) mass spectrometer analysis device 112 (e.g.,using a nebulizer (not shown)). Thus, systems as described herein can beused for various applications, including, but not necessarily limitedto: pharmaceutical applications (e.g., with a central mass spectrometeranalysis device connected to multiple pharmaceutical reactors), wastemonitoring of one or more waste streams, semiconductor fabricationfacilities, and so forth. For example, a waste stream may becontinuously monitored for contaminants and diverted to a tank when acontaminant is detected. As another example, one or more chemicalstreams can be continuously monitored via analysis of the samplesobtained by one or more of the remote sampling systems 104 linked to theanalysis system 102, whereby a contamination limit can be set for eachof the chemical streams. Upon detection of a contaminant exceeding thecontamination limit for a particular stream, the system 100 can providean alert.

The remote sampling system 104 can be configured to selectively couplewith a gas supply (not shown) and can be configured to transport gasfrom the second location (and possibly the third location, the fourthlocation, and so forth) to the first location. In this manner, liquidsample segments supplied by the remote sampling system 104 can becollected in a gas stream and transported to the location of theanalysis system 102 using gas pressure sample transfer. In someembodiments, the gas collection stream can include an inert gas,including, but not necessarily limited to: nitrogen gas, argon gas, andso forth.

The example embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4 illustratefurther details of how the different sample sources 106A-106N may beparticularly linked in providing a flow stream to a given set of samplecollection modules 108A-108N. With respect to FIGS. 3A-3B, remote samplesources 106A and 106B can be interconnected via source-to-module fluidconnections 109 to permit a selectable flow of a given sample to acorresponding sample collection module or sampling unit 108A, 108B. Thesource-to-module fluid connections 109 may comprise fluid lines or otherplumbing, along with one or more manual valves 120, check valves 122,pneumatic valves 124, and/or pressure regulators 126, to achieve thedesired regulated flow therethrough.

A water source 128 (e.g., supplying deionized water (DIW) or anotherform of water) can be fluidly coupled with a correspondingsource-to-module fluid connection 109 via respective water lines 130.Such water lines 130 may carry, for example, one or more manual valves120 and/or check valves 122 to facilitate the control of watertherethrough and into a desired source-to-module fluid connection 109.In an embodiment, a corresponding manual valve 120 is used to control awater flush (e.g., with DIW) of a given source-to-module fluidconnection 109. In some embodiments, other types of valves (e.g.,pneumatic valves 124) may be provided within a given water line 130, forexample, to facilitate electronic control thereof. The water source 128may be used to help flush or otherwise rinse a given source-to-modulefluid connection 109 and/or to serve to dilute a given sample.

A given source-to-module fluid connection 109 can further have a wasteflow line 132 coupled thereto through which flow from thesource-to-module fluid connection 109 may be directed. For example, thewaste flow line 132 may be provided with at least one pneumatic valve124 and/or another type of valve to permit selective flow of fluidtherethrough (e.g., to a waste location). In an embodiment, a pneumaticvalve 124 associated with a given waste flow line 132 may be openedduring a DIW flush of a corresponding source-to-module fluid connection109.

The pneumatic valves 124 may have various features associated therewith.In an embodiment, all the pneumatic valves 124 are normally closed (NC)unless expressly activated and opened. In an embodiment, the pneumaticvalves 124 are independently controlled by a controller and areconfigured to permit chemical selection in the system 100. In anembodiment, when the system 100 is powered off and/or an emergency eventoccurs, the pneumatic valves 124 are to automatically close. In anembodiment where multiple remote sample collection modules 108 exist, agiven set of pneumatic valves 124 may correspond to a respective samplecollection module 108 to control which source material (e.g., chemical)is to be delivered by that given sample collection module 108. In anembodiment, all the pneumatic valves 124 are independently controlled.In an embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, with thechemical switching and DIW flush options, there is a maximum of twosample points in a given remote sampling system.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 provides for a first pair ofsource-to-module fluid connections 109A and 109B dedicated to deliver afirst sample 51 and/or a second sample S2 and a second pair ofsource-to-module fluid connections 109C and 109D dedicated to deliver athird sample S3 and/or a fourth sample S4, as part of a remote samplingsystem 104. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is configured to selectivelyprovide a flow of water (e.g., DIW) into each of the source-to-modulefluid connections 109A-109D. Also, each of the source-to-module fluidconnections 109A-109D is fluidly coupled with a corresponding waste flowline 132A-132D. The embodiment of FIG. 4, like the embodiment of FIG. 3,can include components, such as pumps, valves, tubing, sensors, etc.,suitable for acquiring the sample S1-S4 from their corresponding samplesources 106A-106D and delivering the sample S1-S4 toward a given samplecollection module 108A-108D (not expressly illustrated in FIG. 4).

The system 100 can be implemented as an enclosed sampling system, wherethe gas and samples in the source-to-module fluid connections 109 (e.g.,sample transfer line) are not exposed to the surrounding environment.For example, a housing and/or a sheath (not shown) can enclose one ormore components of the system 100. In some embodiments, one or moresample lines of the remote sampling system 104 may be cleaned betweensample deliveries. Further, one or more of the source-to-module fluidconnections 109 may be cleaned (e.g., using a cleaning solution) betweensamples.

With respect to FIG. 5, the system 100, including some or all of itscomponents, can operate under computer control via a controller 150. Thecontroller 150 may include a processor 152, a memory 154, and/or acommunications interface 156. For instance, one or more components ofthe system, such as the analysis system 102, remote sampling system 104,valves (e.g., the pneumatic valves 124), pumps, and/or detectors can becoupled with a controller 150 for controlling the collection, delivery,and/or analysis of samples (e.g., S1-S4, as shown in FIG. 4). Forexample, the controller 150 can be configured to switch one pneumaticvalve 124, located within a given source-to-module fluid connection 109,to selectively choose which sample is to flow therethrough and/oranother pneumatic valve 124, located in the same line 109 or in acorresponding waste line 132, to determine whether the flow therethroughis to be directed to a corresponding sample collection module orsampling unit 108 or through the corresponding waste line 132. Thedetails of the controller 150 and its components will be discussed ingreater detail in the below section entitled “Control Systems.”

A remote sampling system 204 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C is similar to theremote sampling system 104 in functionality and components, except wheredescribed herein. The remote sampling system 204 generally illustrateshow the different sample sources 206A-206C may be particularly linked inproviding a selectable flow stream to a given set of sample collectionmodules 108A-108C. With respect to FIGS. 6A-6C, remote sample sources206A-206C can be interconnected via source-to-module fluid connections209 to permit a selectable flow of a given sample to a correspondingsample collection module or sampling unit 108A-108C. Thesource-to-module fluid connections 209 may comprise fluid lines or otherplumbing, along with one or more manual valves 220, check valves 222,pneumatic valves 224, pressure regulators 226, and/or multi-port valves227, to achieve the desired regulated flow therethrough, along with aplurality of syringes 229 to facilitate the introduction othercomponents (e.g., diluents, etc.) into the flow as desired. A watersource 228 (e.g., supplying deionized water (DIW) or another form ofwater) be fluidly coupled with a corresponding source-to-module fluidconnection 209 via respective water lines 230. Such water lines 230 maycarry, for example, one or more manual valves 220 and/or check valves222 to facilitate the control of water therethrough and into a desiredsource-to-module fluid connection 209. A given source-to-module fluidconnection 209 can further have a waste flow line 232 coupled theretothrough which flow from the source-to-module fluid connection 209 may bedirected. For example, the waste flow line 232 may be provided with atleast one pneumatic valve 224 and/or another type of valve to permitselective flow of fluid therethrough (e.g., to a waste location). Partsassociated with the remote sampling system 204 that are similarlynumbered as those associated with the remote sampling system 104 (e.g.,fluid connections 109 and 209) can be expected have similar constructionand/or function, unless otherwise described herein.

There are some areas where the remote sampling system 204 can differfrom the remote sampling system 104. One is in the use of a plurality ofmulti-port valves 227 to facilitate the selective flow of samples and/orother components through the various fluid connections 209. The use ofmulti-port valves 227 permits the use of a variety suitable plumbingoptions (e.g., valves, manifolds, etc.) in the system 104 to yield aselectable flow (e.g., of desired samples) to any of the samplecollection modules 108A-108C. Such multi-port valves 227 may have anynumber of ports associated therewith (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc.), toachieve the desired inputs and/or outputs at a given valve location.Also, as illustrated, a combination of multi-port valves 227 can be usedat a given location to achieve the desired flow functionality. It is tobe understood that the controller 150 may be used to control theoperation of remote sampling system 204 (e.g., selective flow throughthe respective multi-port valves 227). Another difference is in the useof syringes 229 to facilitate the selectable introduction othercomponents (e.g., diluents, etc.) into the flow as desired. Finally,FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the various waste flow lines 232 being fluidlyinterconnected, which can aid in the management of the waste line flow(e.g., to recycling, disposal, etc.). It is to be understood, however,that distinct waste flow lines 232 could instead be used and still bewithin the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is to beunderstood that elements shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4, and6 may be mixed and matched, as may be appropriate, and such combinationsare considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Control Systems

A system 100, including some or all of its components, can operate undercomputer control via a controller 150. The controller 150 may include aprocessor 152, a memory 154, and/or a communications interface 156. Forexample, a processor 152 can be included with or in a system 100 tocontrol the components and functions of systems described herein usingsoftware, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manualprocessing, or a combination thereof The terms “controller,”“functionality,” “service,” and “logic” as used herein generallyrepresent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software,firmware, or hardware in conjunction with controlling the systems. Inthe case of a software implementation, the module, functionality, orlogic represents program code that performs specified tasks whenexecuted on a processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or CPUs).The program code can be stored in one or more computer-readable memorydevices (e.g., internal memory and/or one or more tangible media), andso on. The structures, functions, approaches, and techniques describedherein can be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platformshaving a variety of processors.

In some embodiments, the controller 150 is communicatively coupled withan indicator at a remote location, such as the second location, andprovides an indication (e.g., an alert) at the second location wheninsufficient sample is received at the first location. The indicationcan be used to initiate (e.g., automatically) additional samplecollection and delivery. In some embodiments, the indicator provides analert to an operator (e.g., via one or more indicator lights, via adisplay readout, a combination thereof, etc.). Further, the indicationcan be timed and/or initiated based upon a one or more predeterminedconditions (e.g., only when multiple samples have been missed). In someembodiments, an indicator can also be activated based upon conditionsmeasured at a remote sampling site. For instance, a detector at thesecond location can be used to determine when a sample is being providedwithin a remote sampling system 104, and the indicator can be activatedwhen sample is not being collected.

The processor 152 associated with the controller 150 provides processingfunctionality for the controller 150 and can include any number ofprocessors, micro-controllers, or other processing systems, and residentor external memory for storing data and other information accessed orgenerated by the controller 150. The processor 152 can execute one ormore software programs that implement techniques described herein. Theprocessor 152 is not limited by the materials from which it is formed orthe processing mechanisms employed therein and, as such, can beimplemented via semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., usingelectronic integrated circuit (IC) components), and so forth.

The memory 154 of the controller 150 is an example of tangible,computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality tostore various data associated with operation of the controller 150, suchas software programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct theprocessor 152, and possibly other components of the controller 150, toperform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory 154 canstore data, such as a program of instructions for operating the system100 (including its components), and so forth. It should be noted thatwhile a single memory is described, a wide variety of types andcombinations of memory (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can beemployed. The memory 154 can be integral with the processor 152, cancomprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both.

The memory 154 can include, but is not necessarily limited to: removableand non-removable memory components, such as random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memorycard, a mini-SD memory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), magneticmemory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory devices, harddisk memory, external memory, and so forth. In implementations, thesystem 100 and/or the memory 122 can include removable integratedcircuit card (ICC) memory, such as memory 122 provided by a subscriberidentity module (SIM) card, a universal subscriber identity module(USIM) card, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), and so on.

The communications interface 156 of the controller 150 is operativelyconfigured to communicate with components of the system. For example,the communications interface 156 can be configured to transmit data forstorage in the system 100, retrieve data from storage in the system 100,and so forth. The communications interface 156 is also communicativelycoupled with the processor 152 to facilitate data transfer betweencomponents of the system 100 and the processor 152 (e.g., forcommunicating inputs to the processor 152 received from a devicecommunicatively coupled with the controller 150). It should be notedthat while the communications interface 156 is described as a componentof a controller 150, one or more components of the communicationsinterface 156 can be implemented as external components communicativelycoupled to the system 100 via a wired and/or wireless connection. Thesystem 100 can also comprise and/or connect to one or more input/output(I/O) devices (e.g., via the communications interface 156), including,but not necessarily limited to: a display, a mouse, a touchpad, akeyboard, and so on.

The communications interface 156 and/or the processor 152 can beconfigured to communicate with a variety of different networks,including, but not necessarily limited to: a wide-area cellulartelephone network, such as a 3G cellular network, a 4G cellular network,or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network; a wirelesscomputer communications network, such as a Wi-Fi network (e.g., awireless local area network (WLAN) operated using IEEE 802.11 networkstandards); an internet; the Internet; a wide area network (WAN); alocal area network (LAN); a personal area network (PAN) (e.g., awireless personal area network (WPAN) operated using IEEE 802.15 networkstandards); a public telephone network; an extranet; an intranet; and soon. However, this list is provided by way of example only and is notmeant to limit the present disclosure. Further, the communicationsinterface 156 can be configured to communicate with a single network ormultiple networks across different access points.

A method is also described for detecting contamination of a sample in aremote sampling system. In implementations, the remote sampling system104 draws a sample from the remote sample sources 106A-106N via thesample collection devices 108A-108N. In some implementations, the samplecollection devices 108A-108N can be selectively fluidically coupled toany of the sample sources 106A-106N for receiving one or more samplestherefrom. The sample is directed through a first fluid connection path(e.g., a first source-to-fluid connection 109) to the analysis system102. The analysis system 102 detects whether a contaminant is present inthe sample. Upon detecting that a contaminant is present, the sample isredirected from the corresponding sample source 106A-106N through asecond remote sampling system and a second fluid connection path (e.g.,a second source-to-fluid connection 109) to the analysis system 102. Theanalysis system 102 then detects whether the contaminant is present inthe sample received through the second connection path. In someimplementations, the analysis system 102 compares the levels of thecontaminant to determine if the sample is contaminated, or the firstremote sampling system is contaminated. In some implementations, theanalysis system 102 determines whether the contaminant exceeds apredetermined level. When the contaminant exceeds the predeterminedlevel, the sample is redirected through the second connection path. Insome implementations, an alert is generated when the detectedcontaminant exceeds the predetermined level. In some implementations,the system 100 operates via controller 150 to control the collection,delivery, and/or analysis of samples. For example, controller 150 isoperable to selectively direct the sample through the fluid connectionpaths.

Conclusion

In implementations, a variety of analytical devices can make use of thestructures, techniques, approaches, and so on described herein. Thus,although systems are described herein, a variety of analyticalinstruments may make use of the described techniques, approaches,structures, and so on. These devices may be configured with limitedfunctionality (e.g., thin devices) or with robust functionality (e.g.,thick devices). Thus, a device's functionality may relate to thedevice's software or hardware resources, e.g., processing power, memory(e.g., data storage capability), analytical ability, and so on.

Generally, any of the functions described herein can be implementedusing hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as integratedcircuits), software, firmware, manual processing, or a combinationthereof. Thus, the blocks discussed in the above disclosure generallyrepresent hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as integratedcircuits), software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the instanceof a hardware configuration, the various blocks discussed in the abovedisclosure may be implemented as integrated circuits along with otherfunctionality. Such integrated circuits may include all of the functionsof a given block, system, or circuit, or a portion of the functions ofthe block, system, or circuit. Further, elements of the blocks, systems,or circuits may be implemented across multiple integrated circuits. Suchintegrated circuits may comprise various integrated circuits, including,but not necessarily limited to: a monolithic integrated circuit, a flipchip integrated circuit, a multichip module integrated circuit, and/or amixed signal integrated circuit. In the instance of a softwareimplementation, the various blocks discussed in the above disclosurerepresent executable instructions (e.g., program code) that performspecified tasks when executed on a processor. These executableinstructions can be stored in one or more tangible computer readablemedia. In some such instances, the entire system, block, or circuit maybe implemented using its software or firmware equivalent. In otherinstances, one part of a given system, block, or circuit may beimplemented in software or firmware, while other parts are implementedin hardware.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or process operations, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for detecting contamination of a samplein a remote sampling system, comprising: drawing a sample from one of aplurality of sample sources via a plurality of sample collectiondevices, the plurality of sample collection devices being selectivelyfluidically coupled to any of the plurality of sample sources forreceiving the sample therefrom; directing the sample through one of aplurality of connection paths to at least one analyzer; detecting, viathe at least one analyzer, whether a contaminant is present in thesample; based upon the detection of a contaminant present in the sample,redirecting the sample from the corresponding one of a plurality ofsample sources through a second of the plurality of connection paths tothe at least one analyzer; and detecting, via the at least one analyzer,whether the contaminant is present in the sample received through thesecond of the plurality of connection paths.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining, via the analyzer, if the detectedcontaminant exceeds a predetermined level.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising generating an alert upon determining that thedetected contaminant exceeds the predetermined level,
 4. The method ofclaim 2, wherein upon determining that the detected contaminant does notexceed the predetermined level, the sample is not redirected.
 5. Asystem comprising: a remote sampling system, comprising: a plurality ofsample sources for providing a corresponding sample therefrom; aplurality of sample collection devices selectively fluidically coupledto any of the plurality of sample sources for receiving at least one ofthe samples therefrom; and a plurality of fluid connection pathsselectively coupled to the plurality of collection devices; at least oneanalyzer coupled to at least one of the plurality of sample collectiondevices for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom, eachrespective sample collection device connected to at least onecorresponding analyzer via the plurality of fluid connection paths; anda controller coupled with the remote sampling system and the at leastone analyzer, the controller configured to control which of the samplesources is actively fluidically coupled to a given sample collectiondevice at a given time.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the pluralityof fluid connection paths is provided via a plurality ofsource-to-module fluid connections.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereineach of the source-to-module fluid connections includes a plurality ofvalves and a plurality of pressure regulators operably coupled with thecontroller to attain at least one of a particular regulated flow of astream of the sample or a flow of water responsive to instructions bythe controller.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the pluralityof valves of the source-to-module fluid connection are positioned in anopen or closed position by the controller to regulate the flow of thesample stream.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of valvesincludes at least one of a manual valve, a check valve, or a pneumaticvalve.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the source-to-modulefluid connection contains a waste flow line.
 11. The system of claim 6,wherein the system is configured to provide the flow of water into theplurality of source-to-module fluid connections.
 12. The system of claim5, wherein upon detection by the at least one analyzer of a contaminantin a sample stream received from the remote sampling system, thecontroller is configured to divert the sample stream to a tank.
 13. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein upon detection by the at least one analyzerof a contaminant in a sample stream received from the remote samplingsystem, the at least one analyzer provides an alert when the contaminantexceeds a contamination limit for the sample stream.
 14. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the system further comprises at least one pump to pusha sample stream from the sample collection device to the analyzer orthrough a waste line.
 15. The system of claim 5, wherein the controllerincludes at least one of a processor, a memory, and a communicationsinterface.
 16. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller iscommunicatively coupled with an indicator to provide an indication whenan insufficient sample is received.
 17. The system of claim 5, wherein afirst sample collection device of the plurality of sample collectiondevices is located in a separate location than a second samplecollection device of the plurality of sample collection device.
 18. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the sample comprises at least one of a gas ora liquid.
 19. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller iscommunicatively coupled with at least an indicator at a second locationto provide an indication when an insufficient sample is received by theat least one analyzer.
 20. The system of claim 5, wherein the controllerincludes at least one of a communications interface that is configuredto interface with a plurality of different network types.